A first-time councillor has been criticised for lobbying her elected colleagues and the district health board over her anti-fluoride views.

Detectives in Hamilton are investigating a "suspicious" car fire that happened early this morning.

Wheelie bins and an extra recycling bin for food scraps isn't good news for everyone in Hamilton. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

It's a battle of the finest for Lye Farm and Scott Farm on the outskirts of Hamilton - all in the name charity. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Andrew King's majority has dropped again, down to just nine votes after special votes were counted. He speaks to Local Focus about his win. Made with funding from NZ on Air.

Hamilton's next mayor may not be known for a few days yet.

A bronze sculpture of a baby southern rhinoceros was unveiled at Hamilton Zoo today - exactly one year after curator Samantha Kudeweh

Sentencing has been delayed in the death of Hamilton Zoo curator Samantha Kudeweh, killed by a tiger nearly a year ago.

Councils around the North Island are assuring residents of the safety of their water supplies following a gastro outbreak in Hawke's Bay.

The body found in cardboard bales has been identified as Te Awamutu father-of-three Daniel Bindner.

A blessing is to be held on the site of the Frankton cardboard processing factory where a body of man was found in a cardboard bale.

The family of a zookeeper killed by a tiger at Hamilton Zoo last year are horrified a letter sent to Australasian zoos appears to blame the keeper for her death.

The Hamilton City Council has postponed its first court appearance in relation to its prosecution after of one of its zoo keepers was mauled by a tiger.

One of the country's wealthiest tribes is preparing for the first stage of its biggest land development push.

A passer-by is being hailed a hero after he jumped over a fence and repeatedly whacked a dog with a broom stick to stop it from attacking its owner.

A Hamilton woman has asked the coroner to investigate whether her husband's death was triggered by workplace bullying, fearing a "toxic" work environment at the Hamilton City Council may have pushed him to breaking point.

A Hamilton radio personality - sick of his fiance being leered at and heckled - wants action to address antisocial behaviour in the central city's plaza.

The number of "spin doctors" at Hamilton City Council has increased in the past two years while six other positions in the communications unit have disappeared.

The International Rodeo could be barred from returning to Forsyth Barr Stadium if the Dunedin City Council agrees to a plea from animal rights group Safe.

A council has gone to extreme lengths to create safer neighbourhoods by preventing home owners from building garages ahead of the house, and forcing more living on to the front yard with little privacy.

Hamilton City Council union members are ready to take industrial action after pay negotiations stalled.